Exclusive: Khichdi’s former child actor Richa Bhadra on turning an entrepreneur; says ‘I started this with an intention to come back to the glamour industry’

Richa Bhadra, best known for playing Chakki Parekh in the hit sitcom Khichdi, has been away from the limelight for years. However, she has now carved a new path for herself as a successful entrepreneur, running a thriving salon chain across Mumbai.

Speaking exclusively to Times of India TV, Richa shared her journey from acting to business. “The journey has been exponential and organic. I never thought I’d expand this quickly. I started this with an intention to come back to the glamour industry, being tired of the corporate world,” she revealed.

Richa had always dreamed of owning a salon but never found the right moment to start. “I always wanted to own a salon but never got a start point for the same,” she admitted. However, she took a leap of faith and, along with two co-founders, built nail salon chains.

Richa and her team also faced several hurdles. “At the beginning, it was just the three of us handling everything – calls, bookings, and management. Every time someone called to book an appointment and saw my DP, they’d recognize me and be shocked that I was taking the call myself,” she recalled with a laugh.

Despite these challenges, Richa runs 20 successful salons across Mumbai, with a goal of expanding to 100 locations across India by 2025.

In an exclusive interview with TOI TV a few years back, Richa revealed that stepping away from acting was a conscious decision. “I tried many times to make a comeback, but I faced constant body-shaming and even encountered the casting couch,” she admitted. These experiences pushed her to explore other avenues, leading her to find success as an entrepreneur.